The unkempt Celestial Fool acted especially serious and formal, which greatly surprised Zuo Wentao, who knew his character well.

Zuo Wentao quickly reacted, pulling the still-dazed Tao Jun, and the two went forward together to bow deeply and salute Gao Xuan.

Zuo Wentao said, "The monks of the Buddhist Sect are ambitious and cruel. Their coming was aggressive, and it was entirely thanks to the Celestial Master's intervention that the disaster was quelled."

Tao Jun also smiled and said, "The monks of the Buddhist Sect fell into Demon Dao; this action by the Celestial Master to subdue demons is most gratifying."

To be fair, Zuo Wentao and Tao Jun are both exceptionally clever people, and flattering others is their expertise.

However, seeing all the strong practitioners of the Northern Province's Buddhist Sect being wiped out by Gao Xuan made both their hearts tremble.

While speaking flattering words, they were less natural and more uneasy. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Before Gao Xuan could speak, Celestial Fool had already shown disdain: "Look at you, acting like cowards, pissing your pants?"

The two Spirit Immortals were embarrassed, but given Celestial Fool's higher status and power, they did not dare to be angry. They were even more reserved in front of Gao Xuan.

Tao Jun could only smile bitterly: "It's not that this humble Daoist is timid; truly, the Celestial Master's divine power is unmatched, and this humble Daoist was really frightened."

Zuo Wentao nodded repeatedly: "The monks of the Buddhist Sect are cruel, each having divine techniques. Yet in front of the Celestial Master, they were utterly defenseless. The disciple's eyes have been truly opened..."

Gao Xuan listened with a smile; a group of old Daoists spoke quite pleasantly.

Celestial Fool sneered further: "You understand nothing; the Celestial Master's methods are akin to those of a Celestial Immortal."

With these words, he moved forward another two steps, his old face showing a slightly bashful smile: "Celestial Master, may I know what divine techniques you used? Might you guide this old Daoist, this humble Daoist, no, guide this disciple a little..."

Before Gao Xuan could speak, Zuo Wentao's face had already changed dramatically. Celestial Fool was his granduncle, and Yu Jing Dao is a reputable orthodox sect, known even in the Nine Heavens.

Yu Jing Dao has clear apprenticeships, and every disciple has a master. Celestial Fool certainly has a master, and quite possibly one who is still alive.

Now, Celestial Fool actually addressed Gao Xuan as a disciple, eager to follow Gao Xuan as a master to learn skills.

Zuo Wentao found it unbearable, it was simply disgraceful. The key point was Tao Jun standing beside him, and Yu Jing Dao's dignity was lost.

Zuo Wentao didn't dare to look at Tao Jun anymore; if possible, he wished he could kill Tao Jun right away to prevent the spread of this incident.

Tao Jun was also somewhat embarrassed, but he was sly and old, maintaining a calm facade, simply bowing his head respectfully, ignoring Celestial Fool's remarks.

Though Celestial Fool's stature pales compared to Gao Xuan, he wasn't to be mocked by Tao Jun.

Moreover, Tao Jun felt Celestial Fool was clever. At such an age and status, he could truly lower his head; and lowering it to Gao Xuan was not shameful.

Gao Xuan smiled slightly and said, "There is no need for such formality, Fellow Daoist. If interested, we can exchange ideas and practice together."

"Celestial Master is mistaken; how can this disciple be worthy of exchanging ideas with the Celestial Master? Merely wishing for the Celestial Master's guidance is already extremely gratifying..."

Celestial Fool was obsessed with cultivation and was deeply shocked and envious upon witnessing Gao Xuan's unparalleled divine techniques.

Though he was a Ten Tribulation Human Immortal, he knew well that Gao Xuan's exhibited Dao Practice likely surpassed the Human Immortal level.

One should defer to the accomplished. In the face of Gao Xuan's extraordinary divine techniques, what did face matter? Obtaining Gao Xuan's guidance could save many unneeded steps.

Moreover, even if Gao Xuan did not guide him, getting closer to Gao Xuan would also be beneficial.

Although Celestial Fool was obsessed with cultivation, he was extremely intelligent. Having roamed the world for thousands of years, he understood human relationships and manners but disdained using such ploys.

Gao Xuan, however, was different. This being could crush them with a mere flip of his hand. Maintaining humility in front of such a strong presence was prudent.

However, his nephew Zuo Wentao, though seemingly clever usually, was pretentious at crucial times—a true waste.

Seeing Gao Xuan silent, Celestial Fool spoke again: "The disciple has pursued the Dao for thousands of years and thought I had gained a lot. Only upon witnessing the Celestial Master's divine techniques did I realize that we were mere frogs in a well. The disciple wishes to become the Celestial Master's apprentice."

Saying this, Celestial Fool was about to kneel. He sincerely wished to become a disciple, not merely acting.

Yu Jing Dao has a complete heritage, yet the distances between realms are vast; these Daoist schools in the lower realm struggle for survival independently.

Over the millennia, though still under the Yu Jing Dao name, each Daoist school has become independent. Despite having two fellow disciples, connections were weak, unreliable at critical times.

Regarding his master, he ascended to the Upper Realm thousands of years ago. Whether dead or alive remains unknown, unlikely to return for him.

Gao Xuan couldn't accept such an old disciple; although the old man was intriguing, he waved his sleeve to stop Celestial Fool, "Fellow Daoist's sincerity in seeking the Dao is admirable, but my virtues are shallow, unworthy of being your master."

Celestial Fool did not force it; since Gao Xuan made his stance clear, persisting further would be overly shameful. Yet, his attitude remained humble, "It was the disciple's rashness; please Celestial Master, do not take offense."

"No problem, no problem."

Gao Xuan politely replied, then asked Celestial Fool: "Are there any other strong practitioners from the Buddhist Sect in the Northern Province?"

Celestial Fool shook his head: "All the strong practitioners from the Northern Province's Buddhist Sect are here. Perhaps a few Arhats didn't come. These minor figures are insignificant."

He said sincerely: "The treacherous Buddhist Sect monks are ambitious, always seeking dominance over the Northern Province. The Celestial Master's eradication of them removed a great calamity for the Northern Province. Boundless merits!"

Tao Jun and Zuo Wentao beside him were secretly ashamed, witnessing this old man's skill in flattery. Clearly, Gao Xuan slaughtered the Buddhist monks, but in his words, it became a meritorious deed of boundless merit.